USS John S. McCain Rescues ROK Fishing Vessel Crew Members

From Commander, 7th Fleet Public Affairs

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) assisted in the rescue of 11 crew members of a Republic of Korea (ROK) fishing vessel off the Korean Peninsula, March 10.

At approximately 6:10 a.m., John S. McCain's bridge watch team observed a fire on a ship on the horizon and in response, maneuvered towards the burning vessel. Upon observing a life raft with 11 people on board drifting in the vicinity of the burning ship, crew members immediately launched a rigid hull inflatable boat to recover them from the raft.

The lifeboat occupants were then brought aboard the destroyer where they were provided blankets, hot food and beverages. One of the Navy ship's independent duty corpsman was on standby to provide medical assistance, but the Korean passengers reported no injuries.

Following the rescue, several ROK vessels arrived on scene to extinguish the burning fishing vessel. The rescued crew members were then transported to an ROK Coast Guard vessel.

John S. McCain recently completed participation in the U.S.-ROK Exercise Foal Eagle and is assigned to Commander, Destroyer Squadron 15 as part of the U.S. Navy's forward deployed naval forces operating out of .